WES Streeting has backed Andy Burnham to become prime minister, eliminating himself as a potential candidate in any leadership race to succeed Keir Starmer.
The former health secretary, who quit the Government earlier this year , had been viewed as a potential challenger to the former Greater Manchester mayor but has now ruled himself out.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 22, 2026
In a statement, Streeting said: "We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our Party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.
“We were elected change our country, to show that politics can be a force for good, and to spread opportunity for everyone. With Andy, we still can.”
Burnham, the so-called "King of the North", is said to prefer a coronation instead of a contest.
Announcing he would bid for the party leadership, Burnham said Starmer's resignation “marks the beginning of a transition”.
He said: “The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose.
“This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.”
But he could yet face a challenge from former defence minister Al Carns, who has hinted at making a tilt for the top job , if he can muster enough support to get on the ballot.
Streeting had previously claimed to have the numbers to force a leadership contest against Starmer but this was cast into doubt when he failed to mount a challenge against the Prime Minister .
Any prospective challenger needs the backing of 20% of the parliamentary party, 81 MPs, as well as 5% of local branches and at least three affiliated groups, two of which must be trade unions.
In a statement on Monday, Carns said: "The Labour Party now has an important job to do. The country is watching to see if we can get our act together and focus on the work we were elected to do. That's where my focus is now.
"We have the ideas, we have the talent, but we need the courage and leadership to deliver them. That's what comes next."
